Fornaroli lays down firm challenge for Melbourne City

Melbourne City FC star Bruno Fornaroli has declared the club “must” do better next season as he works to come back better than ever after injury kept him out for much of the 2017/18 Hyundai A-League season.

The Uruguayan, who has scored 47 goals in his 66 league appearances for City, played just 720 minutes of football last season after recovering from a broken ankle sustained in pre-season.

But after returning to score five goals in City’s run to the Semi-Final stage, Fornaroli has said he will look to 2018/19 where he wants to push his teammates to have more success.

“It’s of course not a great season because always when you’re injured it’s hard,” Fornaroli told melbournecityfc.com.au

“But at the same time, I’ve improved and did everything to come back. You have to learn about this and I’m happy to have come back and helped my team.”

Fornaroli added: “Next year, I want to forget the injury, come back from my holidays and help us do something special.

“We have everything – the club supports us, and the fans but now we need to give something back. I think sometimes the better things have to wait and next year can be special for everyone.”

City’s four straight wins from their opening four games set the club a platform to finish third in the Hyundai A-League Regular Season before they beat Brisbane Roar in the Elimination Final.

The club also reached the Quarter-Final stage of the FFA Cup before falling to eventual winners Sydney to relinquish their first piece of silverware won in 2017.

Now, Fornaroli is eyeing more silverware and also a push for AFC Asian Champions League qualification next season.

“We have to do better [in 2018/19]. We have to do more,” he said.

“We have to do more in everything. I think we were very close this year, but sometimes football is like this and you have to respect this. Ok, we didn’t get it this year but we will come back stronger, faster and I’ll do better and in the end football will give you something special.

Bruno Fornaroli celebrates in front of Melbourne City supporters.

He also delivered a special message to City fans for their support throughout the season and called on them to believe and help drive the club to more success.

He added: “The fans have been very important … I felt the fans very close to me and this has helped me a lot – this big energy they gave to me and to also celebrate my goal in the [Melbourne] Derby was special. Now we have to make something special for them.

“Believe. I believe too. If everyone trusts and everyone believes in us and support us like this year and more – because everyone has to do more – and I hope they stay close to us next season. I can only say thank you for their support.”